Lincoln items given to library

Collection of Lincoln items donated to library

SPRINGFIELD (AP) – A descendant of one of Abraham Lincoln’s friends has donated a collection of cards and letters to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

The collection comes from Lincoln friend Alexander Sympson. Library officials say he and the president were friends as children and that Sympson was one of Lincoln’s political supporters. Delray Beach, Fla., resident John Hake donated the collection. Hake is Sympson’s great-great-grandson.

There are nearly 50 items in the collection, including two letters by Lincoln. One was from 1858, when Lincoln says he’ll see Sympson during his Senate campaign. The other is from 1861, when Lincoln arranges a job for Sympson’s son. He calls Sympson “one of my best friends.”